Resolution on the human rights situation in Malaysia
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Malaysia, Poland, political prisoner













EUR-Lex - 51998IP0899 - EN






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51998IP0899

Resolution on the human rights situation in Malaysia  


Official Journal C 328 , 26/10/1998 P. 0191 





B4-0899, 0914, 0933 and 0944/98Resolution on the human rights situation in MalaysiaThe European Parliament,- having regard to its resolution of 20 November 1997 on detentions without trial in Malaysia ((OJ C 371, 8.12.1997, p. 212.)),- having regard to its previous resolutions on cooperation with the countries of South-East Asia and on the financial and economic crisis in Asia,A. whereas Malaysia has recently been rocked by anti-government protests demanding political reforms; whereas several dozens of the protesters have been detained and beaten by the police,B. whereas on 2 September 1998 Anwar Ibrahim was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and subsequently arrested on a charge of "unnatural sex acts¨ and 'corruption¨,C. expressing its concern about the continued imprisonment of Anwar Ibrahim and eleven of his allies under the Internal Security Act in Malaysia,D. furthermore expressing its deep concern about the reported ill-treatment of Anwar Ibrahim and other prisoners of conscience during their stay in prison,E. noting that many others, including Liam Guan Eng, opposition member of the Malaysian Parliament, have been imprisoned because of their political activities,F. noting that under the Internal Security Act people can be detained without warrant, for an investigation period of up to 60 days, if they are suspected of threatening the national security or economic life of Malaysia; noting furthermore that the Minister of Home Affairs may subsequently, and without reference to the courts, issue a detention order of up to two years, renewable indefinitely,G. whereas homosexual acts between consenting adults are punishable under the Malaysian penal code by up to 20 years¨ imprisonment and whipping,H. whereas freedom of expression is curbed in different ways in Malaysia and government critics, journalists and NGO workers are vulnerable to prosecution and imprisonment,1. Calls on the Government of Malaysia to release immediately Anwar Ibrahim and all other prisoners of conscience;2. Calls on the Government of Malaysia to allow an independent international investigation into the reports of ill-treatment of prisoners of conscience detained in Malaysia;3. Calls on the Government of Malaysia to amend the Internal Security Act so that it no longer allows those who peacefully express religious or political beliefs to be arrested and imprisoned; furthermore calls for the Internal Security Act to be amended so that those suspected of threatening national security have the opportunity to defend themselves before a court of law, and are not held incommunicado at unknown locations;4. Calls on the Malaysian Government to review the penal code so as to stop discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation;5. Urges the Commission and the Council to make further cooperation between the European Union and Malaysia dependent on Malaysia¨s willingness to respect basic human rights within its borders;6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Government and Parliament of Malaysia.15